Ans: A

Exp:

Between 713 and 757 million people may have faced hunger in 2023, according to the latest State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) report. This is an alarming figure and is a warning sign that the world is falling significantly short of achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2, Zero Hunger, which is six years away from the 2030 deadline.

About Sustainable Development Goal (SDG):

• The Sustainable Development Goals are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and improve the lives and prospects of everyone, everywhere.
• The Goals were adopted by all United Nations Member States in September 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development which sets out a 15-year plan to achieve the Goals and their related targets. 
• The 17 Goals are interconnected, apply to all countries, and need to be carried out by all stakeholders – governments, the private sector, civil society, the United Nations system and others – in a collaborative partnership.
• Pair 1 is incorrectly matched: Goal 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.
• Pair 2 is incorrectly matched: Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.
• Pair 3 is correctly matched: Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

Ans: A

Exp:

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in her Budget speech proposed to increase the limit of Mudra loans from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh and introduce a credit guarantee scheme for purchase of machinery and equipment without collateral or third party guarantee.

About Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY):

• MUDRA, stands for Micro Units Development & Refinance Agency Ltd., is a financial institution set up by the Centre.
• MUDRA was initially formed as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) with 100% capital being contributed by it. 
• Statement 1 is correct: The scheme was launched in 2015 to facilitate easy collateral-free micro-credit to non-corporate, non-farm small and micro-entrepreneurs for income-generating activities.
• Launch Year: 2015
• Statement 2 is incorrect: Objective: To provide loans up to 10 lakh to non-corporate, non-farm small and micro enterprises through Banks, Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), and Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs).
• Features
  • The loans have been divided into three categories based on the need for finance and stage in maturity of the business.  These are Shishu (loans up to ₹50,000/-), Kishore (loans above ₹50,000/- and up to ₹5 lakh), and Tarun (loans above ₹5 lakh and up to ₹10 lakh). 
  • Loans under PMMY are provided to meet both term loan and working capital components of financing for income generating activities in manufacturing, trading and service sectors, including activities allied to agriculture such as poultry, dairy, beekeeping, etc. 
  • Statement 3 is correct: Loans under this scheme are collateral-free loans.
• Statement 4 is incorrect: Ministry: Ministry of Finance 

Ans: B

Exp:

The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) has given its final approval for a cheetah conservation breeding centre in Gujarat’s Banni grasslands, paving way for reintroduction of the big cat to the state after decades of its absence.

Grasslands in India:

• Pair 1 is incorrectly matched: Banni Grasslands:

• • Located in Kutch District, Gujarat State, India.
  • Dry grassland environment on the outer southern edge of the Rann of Kutch.
  • Renowned for abundant fauna and biodiversity.
  • Legally protected as a reserve forest.

• Pair 2 is incorrectly matched: Saramati Grasslands:

• • Found in Nagaland, India.
  • Saramati peak rises above neighbouring peaks.
  • Located at the mountainous boundary between Nagaland and Myanmar.
  • Known as the “Crown of Nagaland.”

• Pair 3 is correctly matched: Phumdis (Floating Grasslands):

• • Found only in Loktak Lake, Manipur, India.
  • Heterogeneous masses of plants, soil, and organic debris.
  • Largest single mass of phumdi is in the lake’s southeast.
  • Keibul Lamjao National Park, world’s largest floating park, is made up of phumdis.
  • Home to the endangered sangai deer.

• Pair 4 is correctly matched: Khajjiar Grasslands:

• • Located in Himachal Pradesh, India (often called “Mini-Switzerland”).
  • Situated near Chamba town, around 24 kilometers from Dalhousie.
  • Khajjiar is a tiny plateau with a weed-covered lake and meadows.
  • Surrounded by trees and bordered by the Western Himalayan Dhauladhar mountains.

Ans: D

Exp:

Vast grassland in northern part of Kutch in Gujarat extends to nearly 3,500 square kilometres with antelope species such as chinkara and black buck — the prey for the cheetah — present in the landscape; this space is more than that available in Kuno and Gandhi Sagar sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh

African Cheetah Vs Asiatic Cheetah:

• Statement 1 is incorrect: Physical Characteristics:

• • African Cheetah: Larger than Asiatic Cheetahs, with more prominent spots and lines on their face.
  • Asiatic Cheetah: Slightly smaller and paler, with more fur, a smaller head, and a longer neck.

• Habitat:

• • African Cheetah: Found across Africa (Northwest, East, and Southern Africa).
  • Asiatic Cheetah: Once inhabited various regions in Asia, particularly Iran.

• Statement 2 is incorrect: Conservation Status:

• • African Cheetah: Classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN.
  • Asiatic Cheetah: Considered Critically Endangered.

Ans: D

Exp: 

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the launch of Pradhan Mantri-Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana  (PM Free Electricity scheme), to promote rooftop solar (RTS) installations in India.

About Pradhan Mantri-Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana  (PM Free Electricity scheme):

• • Statement 1 is correct: It is a government scheme that aims to provide free electricity to households in India. 
    • The scheme was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 15, 2024. 
    • The scheme is expected to benefit 1 crore households across India
    • Under the scheme, households will be provided with a subsidy to install solar panels on their roofs. 
  • Statement 2 is incorrect: Each month, homeowners will be able to receive 300 units of free power

• The subsidy covers up to 40% of the cost of the solar panels.

• Eligibility

• • Statement 3 is correct: The household must be an Indian citizen. 
  • The household must own a house with a roof that is suitable for installing solar panels.
  • The household must have a valid electricity connection.
  • The household must not have availed any other subsidy for solar panels.